In a nutshell This study analyzed whether the drug bevacizumab is linked with increased rates of surgical complications. Some background In locally advanced rectal cancer the cancer has spread beyond the lining of the rectum or has spread to the nearby lymph nodes. The standard treatment for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer is...
Read MoreCurrent stage-Stage II Posts on Medivizor
Does chemotherapy improve the chance of survival for stage II or III colon cancer patients?
In a nutshell This study examined whether chemotherapy improves the chance of survival for patients with stage II or stage III colon cancer. Some background Patients with stage III colon cancer have evidence of cancer spread to the lymph nodes but not to any distant organs. For patients with stage III cancer there is evidence that chemotherapy...
Read MoreLateral pelvic recurrence: do numbers matter?
In a nutshell This study pinpointed factors that can predict cancer recurrence in the pelvis in patients treated with chemoradiotherapy before surgery. Some background In locally advanced rectal cancer the cancer has grown from the rectum (the lowest part of the large bowel) into surrounding tissues and organs, or has spread beyond the bowel....
Read MoreDoes age influence the outlook of colorectal cancer?
In a nutshell The authors aimed to evaluate the association between age and survival outlook after surgery in colorectal cancer. Some background Generally, colorectal cancer is thought to affect mostly older people, with more than 90% of patients being diagnosed after age 55 years. However, despite there being a steady decline of colorectal cancer...
Read MoreDoes chemotherapy after surgery improve survival?
In a nutshell This study evaluated the relapse-free survival and disease-free survival in patients with stage II colorectal cancer according to treatments received. Some background Stage II of colorectal cancer (CRC) represents a large tumor that invades the entire wall of the large intestine and potentially the nearby organs, but has not yet...
Read MoreMammaPrint genetic testing for prediction of long-term breast cancer outcomes
In a nutshell This study investigated the accuracy of the 70-gene signature (MammaPrint) genomic profiling test in predicting metastasis and long-term outcomes among breast cancer patients. Some background Gene-expression signature tests, such as MammaPrint, were developed in order to assess the biological action, and therefore the aggressiveness,...
Read MoreDoes a more thorough analysis of the lymph nodes improve survival?
In a nutshell This study evaluated the outcomes of patients with colon cancer (cancer of the large intestine) who underwent a procedure called sentinel lymph node microscopic analysis. Some background The lymphatic system is composed of lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes which drain the lymphatic fluid, and specialized cells of the immune system....
Read MoreRecurrence after ablative radiotherapy
In a nutshell This study investigated the patterns of cancer recurrence in non small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR). Some background Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) is a method of treating early stage, small lung cancer tumors, that cannot be removed by surgery. Like all types of...
Read MoreComparing breast conserving therapy and mastectomy in young breast cancer patients
In a nutshell This article compares breast conserving therapy and mastectomy as primary treatments for breast cancer in young patients. Some background In young patients with localized (confined) breast cancer, surgical treatment which leaves as much breast tissue as possible is often preferred. This type of surgery is called breast...
Read MoreThe effects of goserelin combined with tamoxifen on hormone levels and endometium thickness
In a nutshell This study investigated the combined treatment of tamoxifen (nolvadex) and goserelin (zoladex) in women diagnosed with early stage hormone receptor positive breast cancer. Some background Growth of hormone receptor positive (HR+) breast cancer is stimulated by the hormone estrogen. Tamoxifen is an oral drug commonly used to treat HR+...
Read MoreMaintenance therapy after bevacizumab and chemotherapy treatment in advanced non–small cell lung cancer patients
In a nutshell This phase III trial compared two maintenance therapy strategies in the treatment of advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The effect of bevacizumab (Avastin) was compared to that of combined bevacizumab and pemetrexed (Alimta) treatment. Some background Chemotherapy is one of the main strategies applied in the...
Read MoreDoes a less invasive radiotherapy technique after lumpectomy prevent a breast cancer recurrence?
In a nutshell This study examines the efficacy of a type of radiotherapy called accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) as an adjuvant (additional) treatment for breast cancer patients who underwent lumpectomy. Some background Patients with early-stage breast cancer are usually treated with breast conserving surgery or lumpectomy (surgery...
Read More
